Guwahati, Feb 20: Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday underlined the growing importance of Barak Valley in the state’s development roadmap and India’s Act East outreach, coinciding with the launch of the second phase of the Vibrant Villages Programme by Union Home Minister Amit Shah from Cachar district.
In a post on X, the Chief Minister highlighted the upcoming Barak Valley Secretariat, stating that the launch of the nationwide programme from Cachar reflects the region’s increasing relevance in the national landscape. He said the valley, once considered neglected, has now emerged as a key focus area in Assam’s development perspective as well as in the country’s Act East vision.
Sarma also emphasised the state government’s focus on improving infrastructure and connectivity, pointing to plans for an expressway expected to reduce travel time between Guwahati and Silchar to around five hours. He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring balanced development across both the Barak and Brahmaputra valleys.
Meanwhile, political exchanges intensified ahead of the upcoming Assam Assembly elections. Senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi on Thursday released a 20-point “chargesheet” targeting the BJP-led state government, alleging governance failures and raising concerns over law and order and economic issues.
The document, prepared by a committee headed by MP Pradyut Bordoloi, was unveiled at a programme held in Guwahati. Among the allegations listed were claims of a “syndicate raj” operating from Dispur, protection of illegal rat-hole mining activities, and Assam being used as a corridor for smuggling drugs and banned goods through international borders.
Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi said the initiative followed consultations with various sections of society, adding that teams collected feedback from grassroots organisations, indigenous communities, businesses and intellectual groups across the state.
The developments reflect sharpening political narratives between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the opposition Indian National Congress as preparations gather pace for the Assembly polls.
